Lou Spanos was named UCLA's defensive coordinator in January of 2012. He joined the Bruin staff after working as an NFL assistant coach for the past 17 years.

In 2012, Spanos' first Bruin defense ranked among the nation's best in sacks and was headlined by All-America linebacker Anthony Barr (13.5 sacks / 21.5 tackles for loss) and defensive end Datone Jones (6.5 sacks / 19.0 tackles for loss). The team finished the season eighth in the nation in sacks, while Barr also ranked eighth in the country in sack average and second in total sacks. Linebacker Eric Kendricks led the Pac-12 Conference and ranked ninth in the nation in tackle average (10.79 per game).

In the 2010-11 seasons, Spanos served as the linebackers coach of the Washington Redskins. Washington linebacker London Fletcher, who played in the 2011 Pro Bowl, led the NFL in tackles with 166 this past season and was added to the 2012 Pro Bowl.

The previous 15 seasons, Spanos was a defensive assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While in Pittsburgh, he worked closely with the linebackers and the secondary. Spanos was one of only three assistants on staff to be with the team for its Super Bowl XXX (lost to Dallas), Super Bowl XL (win over Seattle) and Super Bowl XLIII (win over Arizona) appearances. During his 15 seasons working with the Steelers, their defense ranked among the top 10 in the NFL 13 times, including four No. 1 rankings. Pittsburgh managed to win at least 10 games in 10 of those seasons.

Spanos originally joined the Steelers in 1994 as an intern in the scouting department before being promoted to a defensive assistant after one season. A 1994 graduate of Tulsa, Spanos was a four-year letterman and starter at center. The 1989 and 1991 Golden Hurricane squads played in bowl games. In 1991, Tulsa beat San Diego State in the Freedom Bowl to finish 10-2 on the year and was ranked 21st on the final Associated Press poll. After his playing career ended (1989-92), Spanos remained at Tulsa as a student assistant working with the linebackers.

PERSONAL -- Education: Bachelor's from Tulsa, 1994; At UCLA: First year (joined the staff in January of 2012); Born: in Pittsburgh, PA; Family: Wife, Timme; sons Zachary and Caleb; daughter, Gabriella.